Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 14870 — Painted Post, NY

ZIP code 14870 (Painted Post, Steuben County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 17 and the first fall frost October 2.

Where ZIP 14870 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone6a−10 to −5 °F

Coldest night−23.3 to −20.6 °C

Last frostMay 17

First frostOct 2

2012 zone5b

Was 5b on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 6a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Painted Post, NY…

Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Painted Post, NY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostMay 17median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 31only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 2median — 10% chance by Sep 21

Growing season139 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 4 and returns around October 13.

From the NOAA station Corning, NY — 4 miles away, elevation 1,148 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in 14870

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 26

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 26 – May 10

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5

TomatoesTransplant · May 24 – Jun 7

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 31 – Jun 14

BeansSow outdoors · May 24 – Jun 7

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 24 – Jun 7

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 24 – Jun 7

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 7 – Aug 21

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 18 – Oct 23

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 17) and first fall frost (Oct 2) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 14870 came on Apr 5 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 13).

average
Apr 132026
Apr 5

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Native plants for zone 6a in New York

635 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in New York, and rated by the USDA to survive −10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Painted Post, NY.

Soil in Painted Post, NY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 14870 is Volusia — channery silt loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureChannery silt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.0slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter5%high

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Volusia channery silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 14870; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Painted Post, NY

Summer high79 °Faverage high, July

Winter low12 °Faverage low, January

Hot days6days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights163nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,966base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 16 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 06 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation36 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Corning, NY (4 mi away); precipitation: Corning 0.7 Nnw, NY (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

4 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

148276a

Coopers Plains, NY · 2 mi

New York planting zones →

Questions about 14870

What planting zone is ZIP code 14870?

ZIP code 14870 (Painted Post, NY) is in USDA hardiness zone 6a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −10 to −5 °F (−23.3 to −20.6 °C).

When is the last frost in Painted Post, NY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 14870 is May 17; after May 31 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Corning station.

When is the first frost in Painted Post, NY?

The median first fall frost near 14870 is October 2, giving a median frost-free growing season of 139 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 14870?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 22 – Apr 5 and set transplants outside around May 24 – Jun 7, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 14870 get?

About 36 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Corning 0.7 Nnw station).

How hot do summers get in Painted Post, NY?

The average high peaks at 79 °F in July, with about 6 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 14870 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Volusia at the center of ZIP 14870: channery silt loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 6.0 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Painted Post, NY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 14870 came on Apr 5 in 2026, 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 13), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Painted Post, NY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 14870 is 15 h 16 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 14870 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 14870 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.